The Legacy of Engine 21: Chicago's Trailblazing All-Black Firehouse

Fire Engine Company 21 stands as one of the most significant yet often overlooked chapters in American firefighting history. Established on December 21, 1872, during the Reconstruction era, Engine 21 was Chicago’s first all-Black firehouse. These trailblazing firefighters were driven by a need to prove their worth in a competitive and often hostile environment. Their contributions were monumental; most notably, the men of Engine 21 invented the firehouse sliding pole, a tool that saved precious seconds and is still used globally today. For over 70 years, they remained the city's only Black fire company, performing more rescues than any other unit in Chicago. Today, their legacy is preserved through the work of historians like retired Fire Chief DeKalb Walcott and modern-day heroes like Lieutenant Quinton Curtis, who continue to draw inspiration from these pioneers of the fire service.